What was the initial reason for Columbus's journey to the New World?

Answer 1

The initial reason for Christopher Columbus's journey to the New World was to find a westward route to Asia, specifically to access the rich spice trade. In the late 15th century, European nations were eager to establish direct trade routes to Asia to acquire spices, silk, and other valuable goods, which were primarily sourced from the East Indies and Asia. Columbus proposed that by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean, he could reach Asia more directly than the existing overland routes or the longer sea routes around Africa. His voyages, commissioned by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, ultimately led to the European awareness of the Americas, even though Columbus did not reach Asia as he intended.